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Two cases of acute propane/butane poisoning in prison.
- Source :
-
Journal of forensic sciences [J Forensic Sci] 2012 May; Vol. 57 (3), pp. 832-4. Date of Electronic Publication: 2011 Dec 08. - Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- Hydrocarbon inhalation is seldom chosen as a means to commit suicide. This practice is exclusively a prerogative of the prison population; it is, however, only exceptionally found in this environment. The two cases of lethal inhalation of propane/butane gas observed by us over a very short time occurred in this context. Toxicologic analyses were performed by means of gas chromatography (head space) and revealed a propane/butane mixture in all specimens (heart blood, bile, and urine) except vitreous humor. Although fatal arrhythmia posthydrocarbon gas abuse is well known, the concentrations of the two hydrocarbons were sufficient to induce death by asphyxiation and were distributed (fairly) homogeneously in all biological fluids and organs examined, a parameter permitting one to assume that death occurred within a relatively short period of time. The absence of finding in vitreous humor and the trace amount in urine suggests that both men died very quickly.<br /> (© 2011 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.)
- Subjects :
- Administration, Inhalation
Adult
Bile chemistry
Brain Edema pathology
Butanes analysis
Butanes pharmacokinetics
Chromatography, Gas
Forensic Pathology
Forensic Toxicology
Gastrointestinal Contents chemistry
Humans
Kidney chemistry
Liver chemistry
Lung chemistry
Male
Middle Aged
Propane analysis
Propane pharmacokinetics
Pulmonary Edema pathology
Butanes poisoning
Prisoners
Propane poisoning
Suicide
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1556-4029
- Volume :
- 57
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of forensic sciences
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 22150071
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.02003.x